First Impressions
On paper, we were all excited to see a “factor” ball back from Storm. The question is what happened on the lanes.

Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 365 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 55 x 5.25 x 40

Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5 x 45

Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 45 x 4.75 x 45

“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”

Pattern
THS: 44ft, 25.8ml, 12:1 ratio
Sport: TBD

Specs
The Storm Next Factor uses the RAD-TQ asymmetric core inside the new R3S Pearl Reactive coverstock.

15 pound = RG of 2.56, diff of .051, mb of .017
14 pound = RG of 2.59, diff of .050, mb of .019
Coverstock finish: Power Edge

Power Player’s Perspective
Let’s start with the info on the ball. The Next Factor brings the R3S pearl cover which has been on some fantastic pieces including the Snap Lock. It also brings back the RAD type core shape wise but the thing that surprised me most was the RG 2.56 and 2.59 on the 14lb test ball. Now I didn’t look at these specs before we tested so we can just have an unbiased take. All it did was confirm why we saw what we saw. For Tyler, the Next Factor offered a pretty basic shape that you would expect. Long, check, little snap, check. But let’s talk a little more in detail. Essentially the ball felt long like it is clearly meant for lower volumes but also a little thin and forward. When I say thin, it has a quick hook transition. That typically is in the “snap” or angular shape but it looks worse so due to the very high RG. So it goes extra long and then does the quick transition which feels like it’s not meant to handle much of anything higher than medium volume. It was also fairly forward so it either drove hard or deflected a decent amount. Tyler was left with what felt like a mid late ball but not sure one we’d choose being such a big asymmetric core with a forward roll at the end of that flip.

Tweener’s Take
For me, I will continue a similar theme but give you the lefty tweener look. I start out with a speed dominant direct look and I really felt like the Next Factor needed to be extremely direct for that. It was just so long and didn’t have an opportunity to get into a roll so if I didn’t stuff it, there was a lot of deflection. I worked my way to a more rev/speed matched release and there was still some deflection. I did touch the surface to crack the Power Edge which we usually don’t have trouble with but it didn’t seem to change the bahavior much. I did pull out a Motiv Crimson Jackal to compare to another pearl asym and the Motiv Nebula a ball that fits flush in the mid late shape. The Crimson Jackal was clearly more dynamic as it’s hook phase is a lot longer and the Nebula seemed like a better match up to the conditions, even while theoretically they could be used on the same conditions. So it was a bit confounding to be honest. Not bad but didn’t jump out as a must have in my bag around what else I have currently.

Stroker’s Stance
Bryan is up next and I’d say he more or less was dealing with the consequences of what the next Factor is for his game. He plays closer to the friction but didn’t get a massive jump off of it. Bryan had a very consistent look pretty direct and I’d say the Next Factor looked good going down the lane as it did for us, but something about possibly the longish RG that just seemed to hold it back from driving through the pins consistently at the right time. The ball seemed to need more friction.

Bottom Line
I feel like the Next Factor was going to have some big shoes to fill with the expectations, you know, what’s in a name. I thought it would be similar to recent blackout balls where speed dominant would overwhelm the core and give you a pretty smooth look while slowing it down would give it more motion. However, the Next Factor felt like a Mid Late ball which is a slot I save for lower end balls when the pattern is well broken down but there are other balls that fit more squarely in there. I can possibly see pros using this to control the lanes since they can make the balls shape more without help from the ball itself. I’m just not sure what else I can add for the typical house bowler other than you’ll have to save this one for when the lanes really break down. And I don’t think it recalls the angularity of the original Factor balls.

Thanks for watching.